Identification and Quantification of Polyphenolic Secondary Metabolites in Stem Bark of <i>Ficus religiosa</i> (Moraceae) Using UPLC-HRMS and RP-HPLC-PDA

<i>F. religiosa</i> bark has been extensively used in traditional medicinal systems, such as Ayurveda, for its health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the secondary metabolites (phenolics and flavonoids) of the hydroalcoholic stem-bark extract from <i>F. religiosa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Deepak Thakur, Uma Ranjan Lal, Deepak N. Kapoor, Deepak Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-05-01
Series:Separations
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/6/338
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Summary:<i>F. religiosa</i> bark has been extensively used in traditional medicinal systems, such as Ayurveda, for its health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the secondary metabolites (phenolics and flavonoids) of the hydroalcoholic stem-bark extract from <i>F. religiosa</i> because this plant has been proven to have a beneficial effect on health disorders. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted for the identification and quantification of polyphenolic compounds in <i>F. religiosa</i> bark using sophisticated chromatographical techniques such as UPLC-HRMS and RP-HPLC-PDA. Additionally, total flavonoids, total phenolics and the scavenging profile of the bark were studied using a UV spectrophotometer. A total of 23 compounds identified with UPLC-HRMS were mainly phenolic acids, polyphenolics, and flavonoids (flavanols and proanthocyanidins). Among the identified compounds, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and ellagic acid were simultaneously quantified (0.031–0.380%) using RP-HPLC-PDA. Thereafter, the study complied by evaluating the total flavonoids (109.15 ± 1.2 mg RuE/g and 33.78 ± 0.86 mg CaE/g), total phenolics (4.81 ± 1.01 mg GaE/g), and scavenging profiles (IC<sub>50</sub> 13.75 ± 0.12 µg/mL) of the <i>F. religiosa</i> bark. This is the first report on the chemical profiling of <i>F. religiosa</i> bark, which is a necessary step to evaluate its nutraceutical properties, paving the way for possible food application.
ISSN:2297-8739